The Fashion Umbrella Foundation was born from two places: survival—and love.

​

As a single mother raising three sons, I faced moments of uncertainty, sacrifice, and deep worry. There were times I struggled to provide school supplies. There were years I watched them navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind. I often wished there was someone—some place—that offered support, direction, and opportunity, not just for them, but for me as their mother.

​

That wish turned into a mission. Every program within the Foundation—whether it's academic recognition, college readiness, creative expression, or professional development—is rooted in those lived experiences. They were designed with other parents and young people in mind, so they wouldn’t have to navigate the same journey alone.

​

And during a deeply personal season, when I struggled with depression and hopelessness, art became my lifeline. It gave me light—and it became clear: I was meant to build a space where others could find their light, too.

​

The Fashion Umbrella Foundation is more than a nonprofit. It’s a promise to uplift, to equip, and to remind every young person and every family that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

​

Thank you for being part of this journey—and for helping us build a future where every story matters.

​

— Sharan Nixon
Founder & Executive Director, Fashion Umbrella Foundation

​

Photo Credit: JDH Photography